"Sometimes the people you count on to support you will actually try to undercut you. When God gives you a vision that’s too big for them to handle, they’ll say, ‘you’re getting too big for your boots,’ and try to cut you down to size. (Usually their own size.) Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, then went home and told their father he’d been killed by a wild beast. Imagine how Joseph felt when someone asked, ‘Tell me about your family’. And betrayal happens as often in church as in secular society. When Charles Spurgeon was in his early twenties, such large crowds came to his church that the building couldn’t fit them all in. So he met with thirty of his church leaders and suggested building an auditorium that would seat 5,500 people. The story goes that Spurgeon said if any of them doubted it could be done, they should leave. And twenty-three did. But he still trusted and clung to the vision God had given him. And the result? For over thirty-five years, crowds piled into the church day and night, making it one of the most influential churches in history. It hurts when the people you expect to back you up turn round and betray you. But God won’t give you an impossible vision, or one that’s too big for you to handle, so turn to Him, ask for His help, and carry on." UCB

‘Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him.’ Genesis 37:5 NIV

 "The impression that a praying mother leaves upon her children is life-long. Perhaps when you are dead and gone your prayer will be answered." ~~ D.L. Moody

"Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children." ~ Billy Graham

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." ~ George Washington

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." ~ Abraham Lincoln

My closest view of 'seeing an earthly king  honoured' was when the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu was inducted into office as the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. To say the occasion was grand would be an understatement. It was close to magnificent. Campus almost came to a standstill. Some roads in Kumasi were blocked temporarily to grant easy access to the convoy of the king. A delegation of forerunners, close to 300 people, arrived on campus way before the king himself appeared. They came to prepare the way and announce the coming of the Asantehene with lots of drumming and dancing to traditional tunes, filled with appellations. The display of culture was rich. The skillful drummers, the beautifully-dressed women dancing graciously, the 'strong-men' clad in varied colours and sizes of kente, the gifted singers who sung the praise and achievements of the king, the errand children; everyone played their part with lots of zeal, enthusiasm and meaning. Only a select few were invited to this VIP-level -induction ceremony, and because the University Choir had to sing a number of hymns, the University Anthems and the National Anthem, I was privileged to be a participant of the event.

That day, my view and understanding of worship changed. I wondered, 'if an earthly king can be hailed this much, why do some Christians who worship the King of kings behave so lackadaisically when it comes to hailing and serving Him?' We had to be seated at a certain time, way before the start of the function, and students dared not be late. We had to comport ourselves in a certain manner: standing up with haste when we were asked to, not moving about in the Great Hall during the function, not fidgeting with our phones, not chit-chatting. We didn't have the liberty of leaving the hall before the close of the ceremony; everyone had to sit through the entire function and the Manhyia 'guards' were there to ensure order.  I pray that the Lord teaches us daily to revere and honour Him, give Him our best in our service to Him, and fervently worship Him. He deserves our best. He deserves our all!

When Asantehene arrived, everyone had to obey the rules given. It didn't matter which tribe you belonged to. Once you were a participant, you simply had to comply. I could not say on the said day that 'I am an Ewe and I don't fall in the kingdom of the Asantehene so permit me to do as I please'. Some people came to clean his stool and chair before he walked in, appellations were sung for close to 15 minutes, drumming and dancing heightened, expensive cloths were put all along his path for him to walk on, he was accompanied by some dignitaries who pledge allegiance to him --- I observed in amazement!

Prepping for Palm Sunday 2018

A few people questioned our friendship...

Today is my big sister's birthday and I'm grateful to God for her life. Emefa is 8 years older than I am but can pass for my twin sister on most days. I remember my time as a growing young lady in the home of our parents when family members and friends would mistaken one of us for the other on the phone because we sounded the same way....:)...only few discerning listeners could tell our voices apart over the phone.

I call her D'Emefa, short form of 'Davi Emefa' (Davi means 'big sister' in the Ewe language). Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants".